"It's good that we both have the same goal: We want to be in the NHL," said Strome, 20, from near Toronto.

They've played mostly with fellow rookie Joey Diamond this week. During the Islanders' training camp, they were usually with Brock Nelson, last year's Sound Tigers' leading scorer, who stuck with the Islanders to begin this year.

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"Anders, his skating is improved. His strength on the puck is tremendous. ... It's going to come down to making quick plays and being consistent in his game."

Lee, 23, from Minnesota, has played on the wing; that strength comes from a 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame.

Strome starts the season at center, where he has usually played on the way up; Pellerin hopes playing the middle will help him develop as a pro in the defensive zone. Strome played on the wing during the Islanders' training camp and in a short Sound Tigers stint last year.

"I'm comfortable at both. It doesn't really matter," Strome said. "My best game in the preseason was at center, but at the same time, I worked a lot on wing over the summer. It's better to be versatile."

Both players got a chance to taste the pro game last spring. Lee signed directly with the New York Islanders (which will make him a restricted free agent after this season) after his junior year at Notre Dame. He had two points in two games.

Strome joined Bridgeport and scored seven points in 10 games.

"Now it's that next step," Pellerin said.

"I'm going to demand a lot of them, just like I do of all my players."

The AHL season opens Friday with five games. Bridgeport's year begins with home games Saturday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Sunday afternoon against Norfolk.

"I'm looking forward to playing that first game, getting games in," Lee said, "learning the systems of the whole organization and finding my niche on this team."

The team released forwards Sean Wiles and Brayden Irwin from their tryouts on the last day of camp. The roster includes 14 forwards, nine defensemen and two goalies.